Making Money or just Making it?
By Dominga Martin-
We may have a black President, but the party is over!
After speaking with a publicist friend of mine, we started to chat about "the industry" and when I say industry, I mean the world of entertainment-film, fashion and music. Of being on the "list" for free Ciroc or whatever liquor brand is sponsoring an exclusive party-the list for trays of passed tuna tar tar or something else we've never order if we were dining on our own dime.
I stick to the California rolls and have no problem being an amateur Sushi eater. Yes, the way I hold my chopsticks is "classless" because sometimes the sticks cross, but I'm learning!
There are also a lot of people learning hard lessons. Those that use to walk with their noses up, now sniffing the floor because they've got pink slips in their back pockets. They all want to say "hi" now, return emails and really mean it when they say "It's good to see you." I even mean it now!
Some converged at an industry party last week, with a kiss-kiss and eyes jotting around the room looking for that "connect" to get hooked up. Others, still doing their thing and doing it well-those that have forged their own paths, make their own hours and dictate their pay.
I'm speaking of the independents and a few outside of the industry who are now happy to clock into a non-dream job, because they are getting a guaranteed check. Not an IOU, like California. Can you believe the State of Californ-i-a has no money and IRS returns are now promises of an IOU? Californ-i-o-u is not the place to be right now!
Who's surviving in this economic meltown?
It use to be the writers, but now top magazine editors are being laid off, or pay is being cut in half, even VIBE is now working 4 days a week. It's a beast out here and it's winter in New York City, which means a lot of people are cold, broke and hungry-and guess what? The industry parties have cut down on the freebies.
I know there are still lots of people out there who are surviving, maintaining and "eating right." But those are the chosen few...go through your address list and tell me who's still at their cushy industry job. Who's getting big checks vs. those getting half pay?
It's tough in this economic meltdown and I know I'm not the only one finally getting my "budget" right. Me? I'm waking up earlier (yeah right!)...I'm trying to wake up earlier, but it's a bit hard when I have to write for a living and pay, even for me, is cut, which means we've got to write twice as much to get what we're use to receiving-when I say "we" I mean writers or those who are self employed.
The party is not what it use to be or where it use to be...many people are chilling with close friends and getting back to the basics of dinner parties, bowling and old fashioned get-togethers. Even Facebook has become the place to be! You can find me there, in between writing breaks since I spend most of days in front of the computer these days, but hey, that's where the money's at!
Tell me, what are you doing with your spare time? Making money or just trying to make it?
